Just a short way down from my road work has started on a large roundabout which connects a major A-road and two Motorways. The work to be completed is to increase the number of lanes on the roundabout and create a new slipway for the motorway. This however means decreasing the size of the roundabout and the surrounding land adjacent to it. Inside the middle of the roundabout (until yesterday) were two majestic English Oak trees, probably over a century old, and another at the side next to the roundabout.
Yesterday all three of these were cut down in the space of a day to make way for more space for impatient motorists so they can get to where they want quicker. The oaks were most probably habitat to hundreds of individual species (birds, insects, lichen, funghi etc) and not to mention great value in terms of ecological heritage and history for the area.
Oh well not anymore, anyway who needs grand oak trees full of wildlife when you can have four lanes instead of three!? it makes so much sense obviously. When this wonderful period of destruction is concluded i presume the greatly intellectual road labourers on site will proceed to refill the roundabout and surrounding areas with the usuals such as Wild cherrys, Maples and Hollys because these are of course the most biodiversely benificial replacements for Oak trees. When these said species have matured in years to come the wildlife in this small ecosystem will be much decreased than before and not to mention much less attractive. We are so focused on the present and making sure everything is smooth and efficient and tidy, so we can get from A to B in as short a time as possible without caring for what's affected in the meantime. One day we will wake up and smell the roses (if there's any left).
I hate to admit as a species we can be so disregardful towards our environment and incredibly naive to think that our actions will not have an impact upon us in the future. Rant over.
Has anyone else witnessed anything similar in their area recently that they've found equally frustrating?
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